Fight the signs of ageing – Top tips for wrinkle free skin

We all want it but achieving ageless, glowing skin may take a lifelong commitment, however by adopting a few healthy habits we can certainly help our skin fight the signs of ageing.

Here’s how…

Summer sun: If you’re exposed to the sun for more than 20 minutes, you’re more likely to damage your skin resulting in ageing and wrinkles. It’s best to stay away from the sun between 11am – 3pm when the sun is at its worst – harsh and unapologetic. Stay indoors or make sure to apply broad spectrum sunscreen before stepping out. Try using a clear spray, so that the non-greasy, airlight protectant evaporates quickly into pores, without trapping in excess oil or product from heavy creams into skin.

Beauty sleep: There are two things you need to be aware of when you’re asleep – sufficient sleep and the right posture. If you don’t get adequate sleep, the cortisol hormone negatively affects skin cells. If you get your beauty sleep, you’re producing human growth hormones that thicken the skin and make it more elastic.

Also, you need to sleep on your back as it produces less sleep lines. Sleeping on your side and front adds stress to your supple skin, producing wrinkles over time.

Work out: Exercise… even its just 15-30 minutes each day. It enhances efficiency of blood circulation in bringing oxygen and important nutrients and may help your skin produce collagen, which staves off wrinkles. It explains why we look fresh after work out. Incorporate yoga and meditation to reduce stress.

Face wash: It is advisable to wash your face to avoid clogging of the pores, but if you frequently scrub your face you’re going to make it dull and dry. When you wash your skin you are washing off your anti-wrinkle protection. If you have to wash your face use a soap that has moisturizer or a skin cleanser. Use a moisturizer to rejuvenate your dry dull skin.

What to eat: Higher intakes of vitamin C and a lower intake of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better appearance as your skin ages. Changing your diet will help your looks. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fish, fruits, and vegetables, seem to help protect skin. Omega 3 nourishes the skin and keep it plump and youthful, helping to reduce wrinkles.

Simply put, smoking is bad for your skin: It’s second only to the sun in causing premature wrinkles and dry skin. In fact, under a microscope you can see wrinkles in smokers as young as 20. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and contributes to the breakdown of collagen. Less collagen means more wrinkling. And yes, pursing your lips repeatedly encourages wrinkles, too. You can’t reverse the damage, but you can stop it by quitting smoking.

Too much alcohol is bad for your skin as well as your body: Alcohol is a diuretic; it causes the body to lose water. That can contribute to dry skin. It also dilates blood vessels. That’s why drinkers often have red, flushed faces. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, so that skin stays red. Alcohol, especially red wine, can also trigger rosacea flare-ups.

Coffee: Too much caffeine daily can not only dehydrate your skin, it can lead to breakouts from improper digestion and stress. High cortisol levels will also increase free radical production, a large contributor to skin ageing.